Finishing flap assembly

ABSTRACT

THE NOVEL REPLACEABLE FINISHING FLAP ASSEMBLIES ARE ARRANGED IN SIDE BY SIDE RELATION IN THE FORM OF AN ANNULUS ABOUT THE PERIPHERY OF A CYLINDRICAL HUB. THE HUB IS PROVIDED WITH CIRCUMFERENTIALLY EXTENDING GROOVES INTO WHICH THE INNER ENDS OF THE FINISHING FLAP ASSEMBLIES ARE INSERTED TO FORM A FINISHING WHEEL OR TOOL. SUCH ASSEMBLIES ARE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE HUB AND ARE ADAPTED TO PIVOT THROUGH A SMALL PREDETERMINED ANGULAR MOVEMENT TO HELP MAINTAIN THE WHEEL OR TOOL IN PROPER BALANCE. THE FINISHING FLAP ASSEMBLY IS PROVIDED WITH AN ELONGATED HINGE TYPE RETAINER HAVING A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY SPACED NOTCHES IN ONE EDGE THEREOF WHICH ARE SEPARATED BY HINGE TYPE SOCKETS, THE LATTER BEING ADAPTED TO EXTEND INTO THE GROOVES OF THE HUB AND FORM PIVOT MOUNTINGS FOR A PIN CARRIED BY THE HUB. THE ASSEMBLY FURTHER INCLUDES A PACK OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM THE RETAINER AND HAVING AN END PORTION SECURED TO THE RETAINER BY MEANS OF STAPLES OR OTHER TYPE OF FASTENING ELEMENTS.

Dec. 14, 1971 BELANGER 3,626,646

FINISHING FLAP ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 15, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F'IG.1

PIC-3.3

INVENTOR. JAMIS AfiiZA/VGfR ATTORNEYS Dec. 14, 1971 J BELANGER 3,626,646

FINISHING FLAP ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 15, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.JAMfS A. fifZ/M/GZR BY W/MZWLQ Q! ATTORNEYS United States Patent3,626,646 FINISHING FLAP ASSEMBLY James A. Belanger, Livonia, Mich.,assignor to Belanger, Inc., Northville, Mich. Filed Sept. 15, 1969, Ser.No. 857,885 Int. Cl. B24]: 9/02 US. Cl. 51--337 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE The novel replaceable finishing flap assemblies are arrangedin side by side relation in the form of an annulus about the peripheryof a cylindrical hub. The hub is provided with circumferentiallyextending grooves into which the inner ends of the finishing flapassemblies are inserted to form a finishing wheel or tool. Suchassemblies are pivotally connected to the hub and are adapted to pivotthrough a small predetermined angular movement to help maintain thewheel or tool in proper balance. The finishing flap assembly is providedwith an elongated hinge type retainer having a plurality oflongitudinally spaced notches in one edge thereof which are separated byhinge type sockets, the latter being adapted to extend into the groovesof the hub and form pivot mountings for a pin carried 'by the hub. Theassembly further includes a pack of flexible material extendingoutwardly from the retainer and having an end portion secured to theretainer by means of staples or other type of fastening elements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO- RELATED APPLICATIONS My eopending application, Ser.No. 822,776, filed Feb. 24, 1969, now US. Pat. No. 3,535,833, dated Oct.27, 1970 entitled Finishing Wheels, discloses and claims a finishingtool having a cylindrical hub provided with a plurality of radiallyextending pivotally mounted finishing flaps. My copending application,Ser. No. 856,773, filed Sept. 10, 1969 entitled An Adjustable WidthFinishing Tool, discloses and claims a finishing tool having acylindrical hub made from a plurality of discs mounted in side by siderelation, with a plurality of pivotally mounted finishing flapsconnected thereto. The finishing flap assembly of the present inventionmay be utilized with the cylindrical hubs disclosed in the patentapplications aforesaid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) 'Field of the invention The finishingflap assembly of the present invention is adapted to be used with eithera one-piece or a multiple piece cylindrical hub provided withcircumferentially extending endless grooves in the outer peripherythereof. The resulting finishing tool or wheel finds application in themetal finishing industry for buffing wheels, polishing wheels, grindingwheels and like apparatuses for effecting buffing, brushing, burnishing,polishing, grinding and other surface finishing operations on metal orhard work pieces.

(2) Description of the prior art The prior art patents known to medealing with replaceable finishing flap assemblies or units forcylindrical hubs are disclosed in US. Re. Pat. No. 25,025, entitledSectional Abrasive Drum, issued Aug. 15, 1961 to R. W. Bernstein et al.;US. Re. Pat. No. 25,026, entitled Abrasive Wheel and ReplaceableAbrasive Unit Therefor, issued Aug. 15, 1961 to R. W. Bernstein et al.;and US.

Patented Dec. 14, 1971 Pat. No. 3,058,269, entitled Surface FinishingDrum, issued Oct. 16, 1962 to A. Block.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The improved finishing flap assembly is of avery simple and inexpensive construction and one in which the elongatedretainer thereof may be fabricated from commercially available steelmaterial in strip form. The strip is initially processed through variouspunching, notching and/ or cutting operations and is then transverselysevered into elements which are then subjected to a bending operation toform the retainer and the hinge type sockets. The retainer is providedwith a plurality of longitudinally spaced notches at one longitudinaledge portion which are separated by hinge type sockets for the pivotpin. In one embodiment the retainer is in the form of a generally flatplate, with the hinge type sockets being of cylindrical configuration.In another embodiment the retainer is of generally U-shaped crosssection having a pair of spaced apart legs joined at adjacent edges by acurved connecting portion. The notches are located in the curvedconnecting portion and extend towards the middle of the legs. Theportions of the retainer intermediate the notches form the U-shapedhinge type sockets for the pivot pin. \A pack of flexible material hasone edge connected to the retainer by means of fastening elements suchas staples. The pack of flexible material may consist of various typesof fabrics, abrasives or other materials now utilized in the art orcombinations thereof arranged in sheets or otherwise. The means forconnecting the pack to the retainer may take various forms such asstaples, rivets or clinch teeth. The resulting assembly is provided withretainer or anchor means of maximum simplicity and inexpensive and lightweight construction combined with dependable sturdiness for maintainingthe wheel in proper balance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thefinishing Wheel 0]. tool incorporating a series of replaceable finishingflap assemblies made according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary end view of the finishing tool illustrating themanner in which a finishing flap assembly is pivotally connected to thehub;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of the finishing tool, partly insection, looking in the direction of arrows 3-3 of FIG. 2, andillustrating the manner in which the finishing flap assembly ispivotally connected to the hub;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a strip of steel, which has been notched andsevered prior to forming the retainers;

FIG. 5 is a perspective of the preferred embodiment of the finishingflap assembly, with parts broken away;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the finishing flapassembly, with the outer portion of the pack brokn away;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary end view of a finishing flap assemblyillustrating a modified retainer-pack construction;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary end view of still another modified retainer-packconstruction;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary end view of yet another modified retainer-packconstruction;

'FIG. 10 is a fragmentary end view of still another modifiedretainer-pack construction;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary end view of another modified retainer-packconstruction;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary end view of another modified retainer-packconstruction;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary end view of a finishing flap assemblyillustrating a modified pack;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary end view illustrating another modified pack;

FIG. is a fragmentary end view illustrating still another modified pack;and

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary end view illustrating another modified pack.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 illustrates a rotaryfinishing tool or Wheel 10 of the type described in my copendingapplication U.S. Ser. No. 822,776 (now U.S. Pat. No. 3,535,833),aforesaid. The tool 10 includes, as an example, an integral or one-piececylindrical hub or carrier 12 having an axial bore 14 which extendscompletely through the center of the hub 12, with the opposite endsthereof being flat and defining end surfaces 18 and 20. The hub 12 isadapted to be mounted on and appropriately secured to a power drivenshaft, not shown, which extends through bore 14 in a manner well knownand understood in the art.

The outer periphery 24 of the hub 12 is provided with a plurality ofcircumferentially extending endless grooves 26. As an example, a totalof four grooves 26 are illus trated in FIG. 3. The grooves 26 are ofuniform depth and each groove 26 includes an annular bottom or innersurface 28. The grooves 26 are separated by radially extending rims orwalls 30 which are integral with the main portion of the hub 12.

The hub 12 is further provided with a plurality of longitudinallyextending holes or openings 32 having their centers arranged on a basecircle having a radius R as illustrated in FIG. 2. Each hole 32 extendsthrough the end face 18, rims 30 and end face 20 intermediate the outerperiphery 24 of the hub 12 and the bottom annular surface 28 of grooves26 to form a plurality of longitudinally spaced annular bearing pointsor areas. The holes 32 are circumferentially spaced apart an equaldistance. As an example, for a hub 12 having thirty openings 32, thecenter of each opening 32 would be spaced 12 from adjacent centers. FIG.3 illustrates each opening 32 extending through rims 30 as having threebearing points 34 intermediate the two end bearing points 36.

A plurality of elongated pivot pins 38 of circular cross section aremounted in each of the aforementioned openings 32 and upon which aremounted a series of replaceable finishing flap assemblies 40. Eachassembly 40 comprises an elongated retainer 42 and a pack of flexiblematerial 44. The pack 44 may consist of various fill or flexiblematerials such as abrasive sheets, leather, sewed sisal or cloth, pex,horsehair, coated abrasive cloth, or other type bristles or materialsconventionally utilized in the art. As an example, each pack 44 mayconsist of abrasive leaves of flexible sheet material coated withabrasive grains or a pack of leaves alternately of abrasive coated sheetmaterial and uncoated spacer sheets. The pack of flexible material 44may be dipped in a solution of resin or other suitable materials so asto vary the hardness thereof as is conventional in the art.

The retainer 42 is made from a coil strip of steel material 46 having,as an example, a width of 3" and a thickness of .081". The coil of stripmaterial 46 is moved through punching, piercing and severing operationsin order to form along the longitudinal center axis 47 rectangularlyshaped slots 48 having a length of 1%" and a width of .510", withopposite edges of said slots being longitudinally spaced .490 apart.After the coil 46 has been pierced in the manner just described, it isthen sheared transversely every 4", as an example, at shear lines 50 asindicated in FIG. 4 to form a generally flat element 51 with the notches48 therein. 'Each element 51 is then subjected to a bending operationwherein the element 51 is bent about its longitudinal axis 47 into agenerally U-shaped con-figuration to form the retainer 42 as illustratedin FIG. 5. The retainer 42 is of generally U-shaped cross section havinga pair of legs 52 and 54 and a curved connecting portion 56. Theretainer 42 thus includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced notches58 which extend through the curved connecting portion 56 and extendtowards the middle portions of the legs 52 and 54. The pack flexiblematerial 44, as shown in FIG. 5, has one edge portion thereof interposedin the retainer 42 between the legs 52 and 54. A plurality of fasteningelements, such as staples 60, extend transversely through the pack 44and legs 52 and 54 and secures the flexible material 44 in a compressedcondition to look it to the retainer 42.

In FIG. 2 the pack of flexible material 44 includes an inner portion 62interposed between the legs of the retainer 42 and outer portions 64 and66 engageable with the outer surfaces of the legs of the retainer 42. Inthe latter construction, the several rows of laterally extending staples68 secure the flexible material 44 in a compressed condition to theretainer 42.

When referring to FIG. 5 it will be noted that the portions of theretainer 42 intermediate the notches 58 form hinge type U-shaped sockets70 which are adapted to extend into the grooves 26 of the hub 12 asillustrated in FIG. 3. After each finishing flap assembly 40 has beeninserted into the hub 12, the pin 38 is inserted through the bearingpoints 34 and 36 of opening 32 so as to extend through end surface 18,rims 30, sockets 70, and finally through the end surface 20 of hub 12.The finishing flap assemblies 40 are thus pivotally supported on theirinner ends by pins 38, with their outer ends extending radiallyoutwardly as illustrated in FIG. 1. It will be noted that the finishingflap assemblies 40 are arranged in side by side relation so as to forman annulus on the hub 12. By arranging the finishing flap assemblies 40and pivot pins 38 in the manner just described, the assemblies 40 aremounted for relatively slight angular movement. The amount of movementof each assembly 40 is dependent upon the number and size of such unitsutilized and the spacing thereof on the hub 12.

It has been found that the finishing tool 10 remains in balancethroughout the normal level of the finishing flap assemblies 40. It isbelieved that this balance is attained due to the fact that theassemblies 40 are mounted for a relatively small but a predeterminedamount of circumferential or angular movement. It should be noted thatthe component parts of the finishing tool 10 are constructed andarranged so that the finishing flap assemblies 40 may be readilyreplaced from time to time as they wear out. To replace the used flapassemblies 40 on the hub 12, it is first necessary to remove all of thepins 38 and thereby permit the flap assemblies 40 to be withdrawn fromthe hub 12. Thereafter new finishing flap assemblies 40 can be mountedon the hub 12 in the manner described heretofore. A punch or othersuitable tool may be used to assist in moving the pins 38.

When the finishing tool 10 is to be used the operator, after connectingthe tool 10 to a source of power, brings the rotating hub into proximitywith the work, with its axis of rotation substantially parallel to thesurface to be treated, until the ends of the flap assemblies 40 contactthe work surface as is well known in the art.

FIG. 6 illustrates a modified finishing flap assembly 74 including aretainer 76 and a pack of flexible or fill material 78 of the typespreviously described. The retainer 76 is likewise formed from a coilstrip of steel. The steel strip is initially cut to form notches 80 inone longitudinal edge portion of the strip. Thereafter the notched edgeof the strip is subjected to a bending operation whereby portions of thestrip intermediate the notches 80 are turned and formed into sockets 82of generally cylindrical configuration as illustrated in FIG. 6. Thehinge type retainer 76 includes only one leg 84 having one edge portionnotched and bent to form the cylindrical shaped hinge type sockets 82.The pack of flexible material 78 is inserted over the plate 74 and isconnected thereto by a plurality of staples 86 which extend through thepack 78 and plate 84. The modified finishing flap assembly 74 may beused in place of assembly 40 heretofore described. The finishing flapassembly 74 is pivotally mounted on the hub 12 by inserting the sockets82 into the endless grooves 26 and thereafter inserting the pins 38through the openings 32 and sockets 82.

The generally U-shaped retainer 42 illustrated in FIG. may be used withthe modified retainer-pack constructions illustrated in FIGS. 710inclusive.

In FIG. 7 a pair of U-shaped retainers 42' and 42" are connected byinserting the socket 70 of the inner retainer 42' through the notches 58of the outer retainer 42" which is bent on a different radius thanretainer 42'. The pack of flexible material 44 includes an inner portion90 inserted between the legs of the inner retainer 42' and outerportions 92 inserted between the adjacent legs of the inner and outerretainers 42' and 42". Staples 60 or other types of fastening meanswhich may be utilized extend transversely through the pack of flexiblematerial 44 and the legs of the two retainers 42' and 42" in order tocompress the flexible material 44 and to lock same to the two retainers.

In FIG. 8 the modified retainer-pack assembly includes the innerretainer 42' and the outer retainer 42" which is folded around the innerretainer 42' as illustrated. The outer retainer 42" is bent on adiflerent radius than retainer 42'. The pack of flexible material 44 isinterposed between the legs of the two retainers 42 and 42" and securedthereto in substantially the same manner as the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 7.

In FIG. 9 the generally U-shaped retainer 42 is connected to the pack offlexible material 44 by staples 60 and by a longitudinally extended peg94 around which the flexible sheets or elements are wrapped. The staples60 and peg 94 serve as means for reinforcing and securing the connectionbetween the retainer 42 and pack of flexible material 44.

In FIG. the pack of flexible material 44 is connected to the legs of theU-shaped retainer 42 by means of transversely extending longitudinallyspaced rivets 96.

FIG. 11 illustrates a modified retainer-pack assembly 97. The inner endof the pack of fill or flexible material 98 is provided with suitableretainer means in the form of a conventional belt lacing 100. The beltlacing 100 includes a plurality of closed loops or elements 104 whichare spaced apart. The elements 104 usually correspond in number to thenumber of grooves 26 provided in the outer periphery of the hub 12although a number of loops 104 may be provided for each groove of thehub. Each loop 104 of the belt lacing 102 includes inwardly turned teeth106 which are inserted into the pack 98, and appropriately clinched tofirmly hold the retainer-pack assembly 97 together.

The modified retainer-pack assembly 108 illustrated in FIG. 12 includesa multi-tooth belt lacing 110 on the inner end of the pack 112. Theloops 114 forming the retainer are of two sizes, with the smaller loophaving inwardly turned teeth 118 and the larger loop having inwardlyturned teeth 120. The teeth are inserted into pack 112 and appropriatelyclinched to firmly hold the retainer-pack assembly 108 together.

FIGS. 13-16 inclusive include modified packs for use with hinge typeretainers of the types described. In FIG. 13 the pack 122 includes aseries of stacked sheets of sisal or cloth forming an inner packet 124.The packet 124 has the inner end located between the legs of theretainer 42 and secured thereto. Spaced radially outwardly from theretainer 42 and superimposed against the sides of the packet 124 are aplurality of additional stacked sheets or extension elements of sisal orcloth forming outer packets 125 which are sewed at 126 onto the innerpacket 124 in order to provide a fuller pack 122 by increasing thelength and width of the pack.

In FIG. 14 the pack of flexible material 130 comprises an inner annulus132 and an outer annulus 134. The sheets of material forming the innerannulus 132 is inserted between the legs of the U-shaped retainer 42 andsecured thereto by rivets or staples. The outer ends of the sheets ofmaterial forming inner annulus 132 are pro vided with additional orsupplemental sheets or extension elements of coated abrasive which formthe outer annulus 134. The extension elements of coated abrasive aresecured to the outer ends of the sheets of annulus 132 by suitableadhesive or bonding material.

In FIG. 15 the inner packet .136 of flexible material is also securedbetween the legs of the U-shaped retainer 42. In order to increase thelength and width of the pack additional (and thinner) material formingouter packets 138 are connected to the thicker material forming innerpacket 136. The thin tails 140 of packet 138 extend into the retainer 42along side of the inner packet 136 and are held in place by the rivets142.

In FIG. 16 the pack of flexible material 144 has a wedged shapecross-section and comprises a series of folded sheets 146. The rfoldedends of the sheets are inserted between the legs of the retainer 42.

-I claim:

1. A finishing flap assembly for a cylindrical hub havingcircumferentially extending grooves on the outer periphery thereof, saidassembly comprising an elongated retainer having at one longitudinaledge portion a plurality of longitudinally spaced notches, the portionsof said retainer intermediate said notches being provided with hingetype sockets which extend into the grooves of the hub and form mountingsfor a pin carried by the hub, a pack of flexible material having oneedge thereof adjacent the other longitudinal edge portion of saidretainer, with the remaining portion of said pack of flexible materialextending outwardly from said retainer, fastening means for securingsaid pack to said retainer, said retainer being of generally U-shapedcross section having a pair of spaced apart legs joined at adjacentedges by a curved connecting portion, said notches located in saidcurved connecting portion and extending towards the middle portion ofsaid legs, said pack of flexible material having one edge portionthereof engaging the legs of said retainer, said one edge portion ofsaid pack of flexible material including an inner portion locatedbetween said legs and outer portions engaging the outer surfaces of saidlegs, and a second retainer having a U-shaped configuration cooperatingwith the first mentioned retainer, with the corresponding curvedconnecting portions in surface to surface engagement and the legsthereof in spaced parallel relation, with the legs of said secondretainer engaging the outer surfaces of the outer portions of said oneedge portion of said pack of flexible material, said fastening elementsextending through said pack and the legs of both retainers.

2. A finishing flap assembly for a cylindrical hub havingcircumferentially extending grooves on the outer periphery thereof, saidassembly comprising an elongated retainer having at one longitudinaledge portion a plurality of longitudinally spaced notches, the portionsof said retainer intermediate said notches being provided with hingetype sockets which extend into the grooves of the hub and form mountingsfor a pin carried by the hub, a pack of flexible material having oneedge thereof adjacent the other longitudinal edge portion of saidretainer, with the remaining portion of said pack of flexible materialextending outwardly from said retainer, fastening means for securingsaid pack to said retainer, said re tainer being of generally U-shapedcross-section and having a pair of spaced apart legs joined at adjacentedges by a curved connecting portion, said notches being located in saidcurved connecting portion and extending towards the middle portion ofsaid legs, said pack of flexible material having one edge portionthereof engaging the legs of said retainer, said one edge portion ofsaid pack of flexible material including and inner portion locatedbetween said legs and outer portions engaging the outer surfaces of saidlegs, and a second retainer extending through the notches of said firstretainer, with the legs on said second retainer engaging the outersurfaces of said one edge portion of said pack of flexible material,said fastening elements extending through said pack and the legs of bothretainers.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Cosmos 51-337 McAleer 51-334 XBlock 51-337 Burns 51337 HAROLD D. WHITEHEAD, Primary Examiner

